Working holiday maker visas and employer obligations

Employees on Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visas and Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visas are often hired by employers seeking to fill a short term labour need.

As a helpful reminder, employers should consider the following requirements before taking on a working holiday maker.

Taxation

Employers must register with the ATO to withhold tax at the working holiday maker rate before making the first payment to them. It is important to note that penalties may apply to businesses failing to comply with this requirement.

Workers must apply for a tax file number and will be charged at a rate of 15 per cent with no low income threshold for the first $37,000 earned. After $37,000, foreign resident tax rates apply. For workers who do not have a tax file number, they will be taxed at the highest rate of 32.5 per cent up to $90,000 and then at the foreign resident tax rates.

Superannuation

Working holiday makers are entitled to superannuation under the same rules as Australian employees. If the position is one that ordinarily provides superannuation, the visa holder must receive this payment.

Employers should take care to ensure they are employing someone with the right to work by requesting copy of their prospective employee’s passports and reviewing their visa details on the Department’s Visa Entitlement Verification Online website.

Working holiday makers can only work for an employer for up to six months and employers should take note of the commencement date and be aware of when the six month limitation ends.

For employers who do not report using Single Touch Payroll, you are required to give a payment summary to every working holiday maker.

Employment records for second year visas

A working holiday maker may be eligible for a second year visa if they complete three months (88 days) of specified work in regional Australia. This is typically in the agriculture, mining, fishing, and construction industries.

In addition to the above, employers hiring working holiday makers should ensure those employees receive payslips for each pay period.

DisclaimerThe information in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, we do not guarantee that the information in this publication is accurate at the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. We are not responsible for the information of any source to which a link is provided or reference is made and exclude all liability in connection with use of these sources.

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